Parents in Gloucestershire can now get their children vaccinated against a common childhood disease on the high street.

Superdrug has become the very first big name retailer to offer chickenpox vaccination.

The vaccine is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in the UK, and is currently only available on the NHS for those who are at high risk of spreading the virus to particularly vulnerable people.

This includes those with weakened immune systems - as a result of HIV or treatments like chemotherapy - or non-immune healthcare workers.

The vaccine is suitable for patients from the age of one up to the age of 65 and is only recommended if you have not already had chickenpox.

Chickenpox

How much is the vaccine?

It costs £65 per dose, and two doses - four to eight weeks apart - are recommended to give heightened immune protection. However the NHS states that nine out of 10 children vaccinated with a single dose will develop immunity against it.

Chickenpox is a very common childhood illness, particularly among children at primary school and is caused by a highly contagious virus (called Varicella Zoster) normally caught during childhood.

vaccine

Other symptoms could include tiredness, nausea, headache, muscle ache and loss of appetite. In most cases, the symptoms tend to subside after one week.

Dr Pixie McKenna, Superdrug’s health and wellbeing ambassador, said: "Chickenpox is often seen as a rite of passage in childhood resulting in anything from a very mild to a more serious infection in different people.

"Even in straightforward cases spot picking can lead to long term scarring which can linger long after the infection is gone.

"A chickenpox immunisation has been available for many years but not on the high street until now.

"Having suffered from severe chicken pox at the age of 19 I would far rather have undergone the vaccine than be struck down with the infection."

Nicola Hart, head of healthcare services at Superdrug, added: "We’re delighted to be the first high street retailer to offer a vaccination service against one of the most common childhood illnesses; chickenpox.

"Its availability at our nurse clinics and pharmacies across the UK enables customers to have their vaccination at a convenient high street location.”

To make an appointment you can call Superdrug’s booking line on 03331 223 523, or to find out more visit the website .